TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

At a sitting of the Court yesterday, before Mr T. A. 8.-Bailey, S.M., two lads were charged with cycling oil public footpaths. (..‘re was convicted and discharged, and the other was fined ss.

“The ‘Lyttelton Times' is usually correct in its statements, thank goodness,” said the 3iayor of Spreydon (Mr W. H. Winsor) at the meeting of the Borough Council last evening. Tho comment- was greeted with a chorus of 1 Hear, hear!” from the councillors present.

Permission having been given by 31r W. T. Lester, Mayor of Lyttelton, to the local branch of the Red Cross Society to. havo their depot in the Borough Council Chambers, the workers moved their quarters yesterday morning from the depot in Norwich Quay.

“ A private person cannot keep more than eight gallons of petrol oil Ms premises 'unless stored in a place with a fireproof door. If he does, he risks getting nothing from tho insurance companies in caso of fire,” said the Mayor of Spreydon (Mr W. IT- Winsor) at, the meeting of the Borough Council lastevening-

An estimate was received at last evening’s meeting of the Spreydon Borough Council from SuperintendentWarner, of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, as to the cost- of a tiro protection scheme for the Spreydon and Riccar* ton districts. The 31a,yor (Mr W. 11. Winsor). said that tho scheme followed on tho !inc/s of those previously submitted. .. Tho approximate cost, would bo £4376, and tho annual upkeep, exclusive of charges in connection with raising loans, sinking funds, interest, etc., would bo £750. The estimate was referred t-o the Finance and Works Committees. ■

Members of the Automobile Association and the city motor inspector undertook some practical tests last nigiit in tho matter of glaring headlights, 'using for the purpose a dark portion of Worcester Street, near Canterbury College. Mr It. W. Johnston drove his car, carrying ordinary electric headlights, while Messrs J. S. Hawkes and W. H. Montgomery drove cars fitted with a specially prepared headlight glass, which diffuses the light, and does away with the blinding glare that, comes from tho ordinary reflector. Numerous tests were- made, and it was conceded that the new glass was a great improvement on tho old order of things. Later at a meeting of tho association, the matter was referred to tho By-laws Committee for further experiment, Mr P. It. Clirnio stating that the City Council was looking ito the association for a lead. A§ a result of the Goods on th© Taiori last month, water is still lying in bulk on the central portion of the plain, states the Dunedin “'Star.” Roughly speaking, thero L> nil area, of five miles long .by a mil© and a half wide thus submerged to a depth varying from a foot to two feet. This.is tho centra! and western portion of tho Taieri. The places about Henley and Ofcokia nr© the worst. The eastern side of the plain is now free of Good water, up to the Taieri River. There are five openings by which this flood water discharges into the river or other channels, but these are entirely dependent on the rise and fall of the tide. That means that tho bulk of the water has only twelve hours out,of tho twenty-four in which to run away. The quantity of water discharged by tlieso openings naturally decreases as the flood level is lowered. Up to this week the quantity of waiter being thus discharged by gravitation was large as compared with what might have been discharged by pumping, and for that reason the pumps (which are expensive to run) were not working. The stage is now, however, reached at which the pumps can materially contribute to the removal of the water, and they were started this week, and are going night- and day. There ar© available two centrifugal pumps and one wheel pump It all depends on weather conditions ns to how long R ©,-;]] to free the plain. A competent expert, says it may be any time from six weeks to'three months. Tn som c parts of the East Taieri, where the water quickly receded, grass lias grown already to « height of three or four inches’ Tho general result of the floods, however, is immense deterioration of .the lapd, because tho owners will get no ns© of it for ever so long. Some of the flooded land cost £36 per acre. No Cough can withstand Loasbv’s “Stop It.” Old or young get speedy relief. X ‘ No one likes moving, but the woik can bo made much lighter if competent men are employed. J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd., have them, and three up-to-date pantechnicons. Telephones 250. 1241 and 2174. X2

Tlio Second Military _ Service Board, for Canterbury will sit in Christchurch on Saturday.

Lieutenant T. E. Y. Seddon, 31. P., writing .from France to acknowledge (ho receipt of a gift from tlio Westland Racing Club, refers to tho proposal to reduce racing in tho Dominion. “I see no reason why the sport should bo cut down,” he says. “ All available men, despite their calling, are being called up, so the sport is not selfishly keeping' back men eligible for service. You havo no shortage of food, so under the circumstances why not continue to carry on a sport which in those distressing times may bring a littlo pleasure to your countrymen?” Deer herds, says the Levin (Horowhenua) “ Chronicle,” resemble poultry flocks in at least cite particular: no matter how good the parent stock a proportion of “wasters” will develop. The Wellington Acclimatisation Society’s herd at Paraparaumu has reached this undesirable state, and arrangements for milling ’ it have been made by tho society with 3Jr Bould, of Levin, who shortly will go down to Paraparaumu with a sporting rifle. It ds now several years since this work was last carried out; on that occasion Mr Bould killed in the vicinity of five hundred “wasters.” It is likely that tho venison from tho approaching slaughter will be .presented to some of the patriotic societies. Beware of “spongers!” This is the advice tendered to the public by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. The matter came under the 'notice of the Wellington Association on Monday evening in the form of the following letter received from the parent body:— “At a meeting of the executive tho following recommendation wa.s directed to he sent to all local associations: ‘That the local associations be strongly urged to make public the desire of the association that members of tho public, if accosted" by men who represent themselves to he returned soldiers and ask for money, etc., should ascertain, if possible, the name and regimental number, and forward this information to the local Returned Soldiers’ Associations.’ ” Commenting on this, the chairman (3fr IT. D. Harper) said that the good name of tho returned soldier was being “dragged in the mud” through these contemptible impostors. ' * Tlio Commissioner of Crown Lands took proceedings-at the . Police Court in Auckland on Monday against George, AVilliam and Robert Campbell, on charges of constructing a dam on the Wnirakau stream, near Wliangaroa, and allowing it to continue, and driving timber without a timber floating license. It was stated that the information was laid under section 15' of the Timber Floating Act, 1908, which made it punishable to construct and maintain any dam unauthorised by tho Act, and to drive logs without a timber license. In the Northern Wairoa hundreds of pounds had been spent in raising sunken logs left- by men holding timber licenses. Sloreovcr, if a raft of floaters broke loose and got to the entrance to the harbour it might) prove a serious menace to shipping. On the first charge defendants wero convicted and fined £2O with costs, and on the sepond they were convicted and ordered to pay costs amounting to £lO.

A passport incident, says the New Zealand Herald/'' has a strong element of humour in it. It is the caso of a young man, who was born in Auckland, but whose father is an American. In the circumstances there might have boon some doubt about the young man’s nationality, but he decided early this year to end all doubts by claiming the rights of an American citizen. Ho then made a declaration renouncing British citizenship, and as an American applied for a passport. Everything appears to have boon quite formal and legal, and as a matter of international courtesy a passport was granted, on application, to-a citizen of the United States. Our friend the American left Auckland some time in March, and the humour of the story, comes in when we reflect that it was in April that the United States went to war with Germany. and that before May was out a law providing for ■compulsory service by American citizens was passed b> Congress. It is a case of getting out of the frying-pan into the fire. Since ho left Auckland his name has been drawn in the ballot, and some peoplo are asking why the Government Statistician should have the names of American citizens on his ballot lists. Sneaking a short time ago in reference to soldiers’ clubs, the Hon G. Yv . llusscll made some remarks winch, in the opinion of many, were capable of being misunderstood and apt to prej judico the public against such instatutions. The executive committee of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Club therefore decided to invite the Minister to visit the club. Mr Russell, states the “ Post,” accepted the invitation, and after having inspected the building the party discussed the work and functions of the club. Mr 31#. -Jell welcomed the Minister on behalf of tho committee, and outlined tho work that had been done and which in the futuro would have a still wider field of operation as the numbers of returning men increased. The Minister mado it quit© clear that his remarks were not directed against the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Club, for which ho had nothing but praise. He was satisfied tnati the Institution was doing a very necessary and valuable work, and was of great benefit to tho men who wore returning. Each passing month would increase its sphere of influence. Ho was gratified to learn that the club was being run on such sound lines, and had had a great and good influence on the men in inducing them to return to- civil life and apply to their daily life those lessons of discipline and sell-reliance which they had learned in their military career. Prompted by the Christchurch City Council tho police are taking vigorous action against cyclists who do not observe tho city by-laws. Several charges were investigated at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. Some of the explanations given to the Magistrate were novel. One man charged with cycling without a light said, that ho was in a hurry to get home as a new baby bad appeared on tlie scene that lhorning. The defendant added: “I tbkl tho constable, but he did not appear to bo very sympathetic. I suppose he is not a married man.” (Laughter.) The Magistrate, Mr T. A. B. Bailey, was sympathetic, and tho defendant was not lined. Another defendant. charged with riding on tho footpath in Pupanui, said that lie was delivering milk, having a two and a half gallon can on each side of his bicycle. Tho road was eo wet and muddy that ho kept for ten yards on the footpath for safety’s sake. The morning following the day he was stopped "by the constable, lie kept to tho macadamised road, with tho result that the cycle side-slipped, and ho fell, injuring* his clothes and spilling five gallons of milk at Is 8d a gallon. Ho thought he had Buffered enough loss. Tho 'Magistrate apparently thought so, tpo. and this defendant escaped a lino. Two young defendants pleaded guilty to cycling on footpaths, but as their wages were low,and one was the main support of his mother, no fines wore inflicted. The most common excuse given for cycling on footpaths was tho desire to get to work as* early as possible. In these cases, the Magistrate was not so lenient.

31st July is the closing date of Desorb Gold Tea Competition. Camels must bo posted to G.P.O. Box 1520 Wellington. Enclose name and address, and number of camels sent. 1

A shag shot on tho Waitaki River last week was found to contain a salmon 16.} inches long, states the “ Timaru Herald.”

Tho Mayor has received several, sacks of potatoes, and also apples, carrots and marrows in response to his appeal on behalf of old age pensioners. He will distribute these from an unoccupied shop, No. 92, in tho Royal Exchange Buildings, Worcester Street, near Cathedral Square, at 2.30 p.jn. today. .Pensioners who wish to obtain provisions should attend at that hour, each with sugar-bag or kit and with a pension certificate. An announcement was made recently that all street lights in Woolston wc/uld be turned out at 12.30 o’clock every niglit, at a saving of about £4O a year. It is explained that the Borough Council engaged a. man to light the lamps and to tunr them off early in the morning, after six o’clock. Later on, however, an automatic switch _ gear ordered by the previous council has come to hand, and this now is being used for tho purpose.

Tho monthly meeting of the conimitteo of the Phillipstown CJreclio and Kindergarten was hold on Tuesday evening ; present—'Mesdamcs Williams, Burn, M’Oauseinnd and M’Kcnzie, and Miss Bradbury. The school report showed that the present roll numbei was 47, tho highest attendance being 48, tlm lowest 23, and tho average 39. The treasurer’s report showed £2 8s od received from school subscriptions, and 5s 3d from goods sold. It was decided to notify mothers of Dr Eleanor Baker’s iecturo to bo given in the school on July 20, at 3 p.m. Mrs Speck was added to tho committee. Mrs Williams and Miss Bradbury were appointed a visiting committee for the month.

The ‘‘joy riding” method of raising patriotic funds received a considerable set-back 'from the Automobile Council last niglit, on receipt of a letter from tlie Lady Liverpool Committee asking for assistance on Surprise Packet. Day in the matter of five-minute joy rides. Tho president (Mr A. S. Clarkson) remarked that he had already indicated thnt tho idea was not very favourably regarded by motorists in view of tho heavy expense and tho groat damage to cars. “Tt is pretty costly,” said another member. “ Those surprise packets are worth about sixpence, but yet a car costs 7d a mile to run, and there is not much in it for a motor-car.” This sentiment was generally approved, and a sum of £5 5s vras voted to tha Lady Liverpool Fund. Tho Auckland “Star” states that tho Australasian tour of the Gonsnlez Opera Company has been so successful that Mr Ben J. Fuller is arranging for another company of Italian opera artists to tour Australia and Now Zealand. Tho Count Filipino, who will be remembered in connection with the former company, is to head the new venture, which will probably bo in Sydney or Melbourne next Easter. It is understood that Count Filipino is on the eve of his departure to Europe, to select the new performers, who are likely to bo an even stronger combination than tho first. Tho company will play “-Louise,” “Samson and Delilah,” “ Mephistopheles,” old favourites such as “Faust” and “11 Trovatore,” and, several of the new season’s novelties.

In bis .latest dispatch from Lagnicourt to Australia, Captain Bean says: There was nothing out of the way with the Victorian who was cut off and captured by two Germans, who kept him between them in their front trench for a couple of hours, until ono looked over tho parapet and saw that there was fino sniping to bo had at tho Australians retiring through the fire. He nudged tho other, and they both leant over the parapet and started shooting. Tho Victorian unostentatiously leant forward to do up a bootlace, and at the samo time to pick up a bomb from a dead Australian who was lying in the trench. Ho slipped out tho pin, placed the bomb between the two Germans’ feet, and slipped round the next traverse and out of the trench across the deadly lull slope. As lie himself put it.: “ The two Fritzes knew no more until they woke up to find themselves dead.”

Tho investigation of the titles of the remaining nine blocks of native land in the Tokaanu district, south of Lake Taupo, has just been included by tho Native Appellate Court, consisting. of Chief Judge Jackson Palmer and Judge C. E. M’Cormick. This work, which has occupied tho Court for about two months, completes tho investigation of tho titles of the native land in tHo whole of the Taupo district. The nine blocks, which have just been dealt with, comprise about 13,0,000 acres. The question of the titles of some of the land has been before the Court for nearly thirty years. Tlie area included in the nine blocks extends i from Tokaanu to Lake Itotoaira and the Kaimanawa Ranges, and northward almost as far as the Tauranga-Taupo River. Tho land, which varies considerably in nature, is described as being, on the whole, of fair quality, but a great deal of it is .at present inaccessible. A main road runs through a portion only of tlie area. Tlie land is part of the tribal lands of the Ngatituwharetoa tribe. Some of it is now being used by the owners for grazing purposes.

It seems that the business and residential quarters of Dunedin are proving an attractive, though fortunately not very profitable, field for tho depredations* of a housebreaker at present. The “ Otago Daily Times ” states that towards the end of last week unsuccessful attempts were made to enter the establishments of Messrs Wilson, Balk and Co., and the Westport Coal Company. Apparently nothing was taken, hut* some windows were damaged. The result of an entrance being effected to the office of M’Callum and Co.’s sawmills, Crawford Street, between Saturday might and Sunday morning, shows that the visitor was not devoid of humour. Across the rifled drawer, from which the thief took £9, were the ironical words, “ So grateful,” printed in bine pencil. The caretaker’s Bible was left open at the 20th chapter of Exodus, and the words of tlie 15tn verse, “Thou shalt not steal,” were carefully underlined by the thief. Detectives' Hammerlev and Hall discovered the theft on Sunday morning while they were proceeding along Yogel Street to investigate a different essay at burglary. They noticed that one of’the windows in tho joinery factory had been broken, and two panes of glass removed by chiselling away the puttv Mr M’Callum was at once cojnmunieatod with, and the party, proceeding to the office at the Crawford Street entrance, confirmed their suspicions. A drawer in a desk containing £9 m pound notes, 10s notes and silver was open. The drawer had been locked, but an auger applied to the wooden socket of the shot-bolt had made short work o f tho obstacle. Incidentally, the night waXan is always on the premises from dark till 4.30 or o a.m., and on Hi, occasion he left at 4.30 without receiving any alarm. Our “Child Studies” are works ot art They retain that beautiful clulolikfe expression, which means so much JVery parent. Stcffano Webb, Petersen’s Buildings, High Street. 1898